Based on the analysis of the status quo of the regional spatial structure of the town system in Gansu, We calculated the distributional situation of 14 main cities, all the 75 cities and towns, and the center area with the fractal theory and method.
Three kinds of fractal dimensions were summed up to characterize spatial structure of town system, which were respectively named as aggregation, grid dimension, and spatial correlation dimension. Aggregation dimension is used to show the spatial aggregation of the town system. Grid dimension is used to illustrate the spatial distribution of town system and spatial correlation dimension is connected with density-density correlation. The spatial structure pattern of the town system is illustrated, which shows that the spatial structure of town system can be characterized with fractal geometry.
Three aspects of the features of town system spatial structure in Gansu Province are studied. Firstly, the distribution of 14 main cities system is concentrative. Secondly, the spatial distribution of 75 cities and towns is balanced. Thirdly, the distribution of dense mid towns is symmetrical. The problems about the spatial structure of towns system are pointed out including the distribution of upper hierarchical cities tend towards concentrative, and yet the towns of lower hierarchical tend towards disperse.
We concluded that the distribution of the cities and towns are comparativel even except that viewing from only the 14 main cities. It Puts forward suggestions on concrete measures to rationalize the regional spatial structure of the town system in Gansu including making full use of the advantage of 14 central cities by enlarging its scale and cater for surrounding small towns development. At present, great attention should be paid on development of some important market towns that may lead to harmony development in the whole area.